Currie Cup XV – week 9

The business end of the Currie Cup delivered up a few nail-biting performances last weekend. Western Province shaded Cheetahs in the dying stages and the Sharks stunned the Lions.

The Pumas also continued their fall from grace with a thrashing at the hands of the Bulls and Griquas smashed the EP Kings.

This week’s team includes four Western Province players, three Griquas, three Bulls, two Cheetahs, two Lions and a single Shark.

15 Clayton Blommetjies (Cheetahs):

FILE PICTURE: Clayton Blommetjies of the Cheetahs with the ball during the Absa Currie Cup match between Toyota Free State Cheetahs and DHL Western Province. Picture: Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images

The hot-stepping fullback seems to improve with every outing for the Cheetahs. He was once again at his elusive best in a losing cause against Western Province last weekend. The Cheetahs will be able to call on a few excitement machines in Super Rugby as they also have the services of Springbok Willie le Roux and Pumas playmaker Coenie van Wyk next season.

The beefy midfielder was at his bruising best against the Lions. With his immense physicality he plays very much like a loose forward for the Durbanites – he gives momentum with ball in hand, and halts it on defence. His try – where he busted past a number of defenders – illustrated exactly how dangerous he can be.

Potgieter has been the source of much of the Bulls’ success in recent weeks with his solid kicking, distribution and decision making. A true team man with a penchant for collecting points. It should be interesting to see what happens to him now that Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard is back in the Bulls mix.

The snappy scrumhalf has shown this season that he isn’t a mere ball runner. His distribution, vision and kicking game is on par with his devastating breaks. His influential play aided the Cheetahs in almost getting one over Province.

What is there left to say about this immense player? He seems to tick all the boxes and then some on a weekly basis. He jumps, tackles, pilfers, runs, steps and scores. Carr is a true proverbial footballer.

Schoeman’s season seemed to taper off slightly after a scintillating start, but the fetcher seemed to return to form against the EP Kings. He scored twice and was at his tormenting best at the breakdown.

The willing second rower was at his bustling best against the Kings. He jumped, tackled, rucked and scored – twice. Former Matie Kloppers isn’t the biggest lock going around, but he makes up for it with his lion-hearted approach and a wide range of skills.